It will be good to see you, father. I've been doing the best I can to support the family name. Sometimes I need the pep-talk but I just continue to repeat the words you always told me growing up. "Don't be discouraged, have a little courage"

Thank you for that.

See you in SD! I'll be at the Image Booth. Most likely stumbling about.

SON! I know I haven't been the best father to you recently, but I want you to know that I'm proud of you. I saw Drink and Draw and I almost lost it, mom mentioned it was the second time she saw me cry. The first time was when i first laid eyes on my new baby boy in Ravenswood Hospital In Chicago, IL. That boy was you.

Let's have a family reunion and hook up at the con. I' won't be at the con much, but I'm stayin at the Marriot. I'll find you at the Image booth. Mabe we can re-enter the time portal and you can be dad this year.

"When I became a man I put away childish things, including the desire to be very grown up."

C.S. Lewis said this when people asked him why he wrote books for children. This reminds me to keep in mind the origin of what I love most...drawing. Before I knew what Marvel or D.C. was, before I knew what a comic book, or super hero was, I drew pictures. I love drawing. I can't recall what I liked drawing the most, probably because I drew so much there is no way to remember. I drew all the time, with any tool that created a line on paper.

Amongst the contracts, negotiations, signings, failed projects, good and bad reviews, deadlines, tussles with editors and studio execs., 35 airports a year, the same convention halls over and over, and anything else that goes along with the professional artist label...it is easy for me to forget what I wanted to do this for.

I love drawing.

That's the end of it really. I love it. I love the kid that lives here no matter how many books I sell, or how much money I put in the bank. I need to remind myself to put away the childish "desire to be very grown up." and just put pencil to paper. I never used to need anyone to like what I drew. I didn't know to want it. I just wanted to turn a blank piece of paper into something, anything, just as long as it looked fun. An animal, a world that I have never seen, a twist on the world I have. Amongst all the things that have over shadowed that ideal, I have lost the child.

After hearing this quote, I wrote it down and pinned it on the bulletin board in front of my table. That's why these warm up drawings started happening. I always told myself I didn't have time to draw anything for fun, I had to work. But, like those parents who have kids and need to make time for them no matter what...I am reminding myself to do the same.

Hi Mr. Matsuda, I live in Chicago and have known who you are through a mutual aquantence but would really like to talk to you. I am a comic penciler lokking for my big break. Can you please call me @ (815) 501 0535? Thanxx Dennis Wheeler!